Aiming for the industrialization of regenerative medicine

The Stem Cell Evaluation Technology Research Association was founded in February 2011 to develop basic evaluation technology for the practical use of human stem cells. The project was adopted in May 2011 by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) as a part of “the health and comfort innovation program” promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

In order to take forward this project and link it to the practical use and industrialization of regenerative medicine, a new NEDO project called the “Development of Cell Manufacturing and Processing Systems for Industrialization of Regenerative Medicine” was adopted in April 2014, new members were added and R&D got underway. From April 2015, the management corporation was transferred to Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), and we are implementing a project for the industrialization of regenerative medicine.

In this project, SCA performs development of a new manufacturing system that links each process for the manufacturing and processing of stem cells that form the base material for regenerative medicine products.

Specifically, we are developing processes such as expansion culture, differentiation culture, isolation and purification, processing, preservation, and quality control that are required for the manufacturing, processing, and provision of regenerative medicine products suitable for target diseases and the applied methods as well as human stem cells that are the base material for these products. Further, as process management technology to ensure the accuracy and reliability of each process, we will develop automation devices for each elemental technology and peripheral products such as culture media, base materials, and containers. In addition, it constructs manufacturing systems by optimally combining each process and executes manufacturing and evaluation of human stem cells. Ultimately, we aim to be able to manufacture cells and cell products that can be actually used for clinical research and the like.

The Act on the Safety of Regenerative Medicine which was enacted in September 2014 will be expected to push the rapid development of regenerative medicine. In regenerative medicine thus far, in comparison with the research in the top class globally it felt like industrialization and practical use was delayed, but now we are seeing actual products in regenerative medicine, etc., that are approved under this law.

We will go with the tide that is pushing regenerative medicine to be part of society, and bring together the knowledge and technology of academia who participate in our projects and the many companies who participate in the SCA, and go forward towards the practical use and industrialization of regenerative medicine. It will also cooperate with external organization such as the Forum for Innovative Regenerative Medicine (FIRM) to deal with international standardization.

As the President, I will do my utmost in terms of managing the association and research and development. We would like to express our sincere appreciation for your support and encouragement.

Name

Stem Cell Evaluation Technology Research Association

Address

Grande Building 8F, 2-26-9 Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0032, Japan

Representative

Fellow Naoto Yanagihara(FUJIFILM Corporation executive officer)

TEL

+81-3-5541-2790

FAX

+81-3-6280-3486

URL

http://www.scetra.or.jp

E-mail

info[at]scetra.or.jp (please change [at] to @)

Founded

February 16, 2011

Employees

4 (as of April, 2017)

Scope of Business

Development of cell manufacturing and processing systems for industrialization of regenerative medicine